obsessed with losing

[dreamagreatdream]

hey everyone i finally decided to join this forum for support. I am a nineteen year old college sophomore who has always had a terrible relationship with food.. Both of my parents are atleast a hundred pounds overweight.. I am currently 5'1 and 143 pounds (i think, too scared to weigh myself.) Two years ago when i was 127 pounds i took a good look in the mirror and decided to go on a "diet." i jumped on the fat free wagon and ran 3 miles a day.. A month later i was down to 114. I was constantly starving, but feeling so great with all the compliments that were flying my way.. I have a muscular body, so 114 was really a great weight.. However, i gained it all back and then some.. Now that i am on my own in college, my favorite thing to do is cuddle up in my bed with some ben and jerrys. I am an extremist. I either eat sooooo healthy, count every calorie, and run ( did a half marathon two months ago with no training, just to punish myself because of the binge eating i had done), or i eat everything in site. I am definitely a sugar addict. I realized i had a serious problem with binge eating and saw a psychiatrist. I was put on zoloft and wellbutrin. My life literally revolves around binging and dieting. I did atkins induction a few months back.. In 14 days i lost 10 pounds and i didnt even exercise once.. Then to celebrate making it that far, i made the atkins friendly peanut butter fudge, and boom, i lost all control and binged on carbs. i am losing myself and i just neeeeed to stop this destructive way of life.. Today is day one of induction... i hope to stay strong for once!

[chinadoll]

Re: obsessed with losing

Hello Obsessed. If you don't have the book, the 2002 Dr Atkins New Diet Revolution, I suggest you get it and read it thoroughly. The focus of this WOE is getting healthy and breaking your sugar addiction. It is a permanent life change. If you decide to stop low carbing you will undoubtedly gain back your weight and then some. The goal at the end is to enjoy a wide variety of foods in moderation (Moderation being your own individual tolerances which you discover as you progress through the rungs.

Best advice I can give is to totally stay away from all Atkins bars, shakes, artificially sweetened things and break the sweet tooth you have before ever adding any of that stuff back into your diet. This board advises against the Atkins fudge, bars, and all of those man-made processed junk food substitutes.

I know you are obsessed with losing but maybe your obsession should be linked to being obsessed with moderation and health instead.

[imagood1]

Re: obsessed with losing

I hope you can come to terms with food because you are on a scary path -- you need to get your food problems taken care of soon and Atkins can help. Jill said to get rid of the bars and shakes, they aren't good for you (no matter what the company who makes them and sticks the Atkins name on them says).

Get a copy of the 2002 DANDR (Dr Atkins New Diet Revolution) book and read it cover to cover -- the more information you have the better you will do on this plan. I got a copy at www.half.com (with shipping) for under $5.00 -- also check www.amazon.com if the other site doesn't have any. You are a student - not knowing the subject matter and going to to take a final would be as stupid as not reading the book....

Other things to help you are:
*Eat a variety of meats, cheeses and vegetables. Also make sure you get your fats, carbs and protein in daily. (chart your food at www.fitday.com )
*Drink plenty of pure water (nothing added ***– see below for more info).
*Take your supplements and exercise
*Eat whole foods - meats, cheeses and veggies daily.

Check the stickies (information posts) at the top of this page – it’s a condenced version of the DANDR book (until you can get a copy of the book). http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.com/forums/atkins-diet-14-day-induction/

Make sure you drink a minimum of 64 ounces of water each day, including:
Filtered water
Mineral water
Spring water
Tap water

*** Crystal Lite, sugar free teas, sugar free kool-aid & diet sodas do not count they are chemically enhanced and most include aspartame (also not allowed on Atkins) – PURE water is the only thing that counts toward your daily water intake. If you need a “flavor” in your water float a lemon or lime slice on top of your water

The recipe sites are a helpful way to make your meals more enjoyable – just make sure you use Induction Recipes to begin with.

Recipe Sites
http://www.genaw.com/lowcarb/menus.html
http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.com/forums/atkins-diet-14-day-induction/58513-never-ending-induction-recipes.html
http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.com/forums/atkins-diet-14-day-induction/6807-induction-recipe-basics-more-recipes-added.html

If you need anything we’re here to help you!! Good luck.

[dreamagreatdream]

Re: obsessed with losing

Jill and Carole, thanks a ton.. i have the book and have read it from cover to cover.. Infact, I am a dietetics major.. I have all the tools but not the willpower.. i am searching for strength within myself to end my self destructing behaviors with food.. at this point i feel as though support is what will get me through this, and that is why i have come to this site.. has anyone read the book, food addiction the body knows? i heard that explains a lot about the sugar addiction

[IrishIrish]

Re: obsessed with losing

If you read DANDR 2002, you know that Dr. Atkins based his observations on patients in his cardiology practice. The plan was developed over years of his research and is, in fact, based in science.

Sugar and carbs will cause more sugar and carb cravings, simply put. By following the Acceptable Food List for Induction and the Rules of Induction, yo will curb your use of carbs day to day and be able to break the carb cravings.

Obviously emotional eating can often be at the route of overeating carbs. Many people use the twelve step approach (OA, AA, etc.) in addition to Atkins as their nutritional solution. This board also serves as a good support.

My advice would be to plan menus ahead according to the Rules and the Food Lists. Plan your exercise, your fluid intake. Take your supplements. And post on this board being accountable to the rest of the community but most importantly to yourself.

Best wishes.

[imagood1]

Re: obsessed with losing

hey dream -- I wish I would have had the fortitude to be more careful when I was your age...I had just had a baby and had enlisted in the Army - leaving for boot camp...I had a great time in boot camp and was in the best shape of my life, but when I got out I thought I'd be ok without doing any exercise....fast forward to now and I'm struggling with health problems plus my weight. Just a word of advise -- get your weight under control now and keep it under control for a lifetime....good luck to you!!!

[chinadoll]

Re: obsessed with losing

Hi Dream, let us know if you have any questions and definitely post if you are frustrated or slipping because the support system here is great to help you stay on task and buoy you up when things aren't going well. I'm rooting for you.

[stella91]

Re: obsessed with losing

Dream,

I just found this post and I just wanted to say I am in a similar boat with you. I am 22 now and married, but when I was in college (not long ago!!) I went through phases of extreme exercise or a ben & jerrys diet. I have been following Atkins now since November 2008, on and off. After I got married in January 09, I fell into the wife position of making delicious foods (carb filled of course) and baking non-stop. Finally in April I put a stop to it, saw a nutritionist and started Atkins full swing. I would have to say I have had some slips along the way, and every time I feel awful (physically and mentally) from the extra carbs. I'm still not the weight I want to be, started around 135-138 and now I am down to 121, but its a daily struggle. I find keeping a food journal and posting on Fitday.com has helped keep myself accountable for everything I put in my mouth. I carry a very small notebook in my purse with me everywhere. I don't think anyone can be perfect on this way of eating 100% of the time, and having an occasional carb treat won't kill you (it will set you back about 5 pounds of water weight....thanks 4th of July) but life is too short to deny yourself. Always remember moderation. Check serving sizes, and if its your birthday, have your cake, make it low carb, or not....but dont deny yourself or you will binge. Thats what I have found, the longer I deny myself that special carb filled treat, the worse my binge is at a later point in time, the more I set myself back with my weight loss, and the more frustrated I get with myself. Its a constant learning process, find what works for you, and not what worked for someone else. I have found that poeple like you and me with a little less weight to lose, have a much slower atkins experience. The weight does not fly off us, and we have to work hard! Its a mental game!
Best of luck, I am off to the beach where I will need to really be on top of myself with the carbs. It is hard when you surround yourself with people who don't care what they eat, but just try and be strong and keep your personal goals in mind. Just cause someone jumps off a bridge doesnt mean you have to

[pinkfusion]

Re: obsessed with losing

Jill and Carole, thanks a ton.. i have the book and have read it from cover to cover.. Infact, I am a dietetics major.. I have all the tools but not the willpower.. i am searching for strength within myself to end my self destructing behaviors with food.. at this point i feel as though support is what will get me through this, and that is why i have come to this site.. has anyone read the book, food addiction the body knows? i heard that explains a lot about the sugar addiction

My personal experience on Atkins is that I have used not one shred of willpower. I have been on so many diets its insane and I have had to what I call "white knuckle" it all the way. This program has completely and totally changed the way I view food. Someone could put my favorite cake and ice cream in front of me and I would not feel tempted to touch it.

What I thought was a psychological problem (I had labeled myself an emotional eater) was physiological apparently. I dont even think of food when I experience certain emotions that I use to view as triggers.

I am so sure that I will follow through to my goal weight on this program that I could drop the money on clothes in my goal size and I feel very very confident that I will one day be able to wear them.

Follow induction to a "T" till you figure out if certain things (caffeine, I think you know that artificial sweetners are somewhat of an issue for you from what you have written) will stoke your appetite.

You can do this!

[chinadoll]

Re: obsessed with losing

Pink, Stella--thanks for posting I liked hearing your perspectives!